Calls Grow for More Deprescribing Among Antidepressant Users
03 Dec 2025
A national study by the University of South Australia has highlighted a worrying trend: long-term antidepressant use among 10–24-year-olds increased by 110% between 2014 and 2023. During the same period, the average duration of treatment also rose by 53%.
Dr Cathy Andronis, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests in Psychological Medicine, told newsGP she is “not surprised” by the findings. “Australia has always been a high-prescribing nation, and combined with the ongoing youth mental health crisis, the rise in antidepressant use among younger people is sadly expected,” she said.
She also pointed to policy changes that have affected GPs’ ability to offer alternative mental health support. The recent removal of Medicare item 2713, which previously supported mental health consultations, has made it harder for doctors to provide non-pharmacological care. “Without accessible and affordable counselling or therapy, many patients stick with medication simply because it’s the easiest option,” Dr Andronis explained.
The study’s authors raised concerns about potential overprescribing, noting that 45% of people aged 10–24 remained on antidepressants for more than 12 months, with many still using them two years later. Lead author Dr Lasantha Ranwala emphasized that prolonged antidepressant use can increase the risk of side effects and make withdrawal more difficult, sometimes leading to misinterpretation of withdrawal symptoms as a return of depression.
Deprescribing, Dr Andronis said, is “easier said than done.” It requires lengthy consultations, thorough assessments, and strategies to support patients through withdrawal. “Previously, Medicare rebates allowed GPs to spend the necessary time on this work. Removing the item number has made it more challenging to safely taper medications,” she added.
The study, published in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, analyzed dispensing data from over 300,000 antidepressant users via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme between 2014 and 2023. Across all age groups, long-term use rose from 66 to nearly 85 users per 1,000 people between 2014 and 2022, stabilizing slightly in 2023. Notably, the proportion of long-term users on lower doses remained almost unchanged (17.9% in 2014 vs 17.8% in 2023).
“These trends suggest both overprescription and limited deprescribing,” the authors noted, adding that clinicians often continue treatment out of caution, fearing withdrawal effects or destabilizing patients—even when ongoing use may not be clinically necessary.
Associate Professor Andrew Andrade, co-author of the study, called for stronger support systems for GPs. He suggested that emerging technologies, like predictive analytics and clinical decision-support tools, could help identify patients suitable for tapering and coordinate non-drug interventions.
However, Dr Andronis stressed that the most effective approach is still a simple conversation. “You don’t need technology to know if someone is depressed. Ask them how they’re doing, how the medication is affecting them, and whether they want to continue or stop. That’s the starting point.”
Last month, the RACGP released a new deprescribing guide for SSRIs and SNRIs to help GPs minimize withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. A patient resource accompanies the guideline, which Dr Andronis described as “the most helpful tool for supporting these conversations.”
News Source: RACGP
